Teacher Dress Coade
Problem
What are teachers communicating through the way they dress? Are teachers role models for their students and should they follow the same rules they require their students to adhere too?
Teacher appearance continues to be a concern not only for teachers, but also for administrators, parents and occasionally for students. As trends change teacher attire also follows the fads. Most schools do not have a written dress codes for teachers. Many administrators believe that the professional appearance of a teacher will have a positive effect on student behavior. Some schools have decided that teacher should not wear clothing students are not allowed to wear. Teacher attire often depends on where the teacher is working. If a school is in an inner-city setting, teacher attire tends to more flexible than that of teachers who teach in an upper class area. Some other reasons for variation in teacher appearance are the limited incomes, teaching in buildings with no air conditioning and the academic subject matter. Some administrators and teachers believe that casual dress is accepted more by parents, allowing them to feel more comfortable. If a school does have a formal dress code for the teachers, it often times has exceptions. Teachers are allowed to dress in a casual manner on Fridays, while on field trips or while participating in other special activities.
Purpose
Teachers should be able to dress comfortably and not worry that their appearance will have an effect on the student’s behavior or academic achievement.
Significance of Study
If teachers are not required to follow a dress code and dress in the manner they prefer, they will feel more comfortable and perform better in the classroom. If teachers are asked to dress in business attire they may be less comfortable and not be as effective in the classroom.
Research Question
What is the relationship between teacher appearance and student behavior?
Terms and Limitations
Business attire
What are teachers communicating through the way they dress? Are teachers role models for their students and should they follow the same rules they require their students to adhere too?
Teacher appearance continues to be a concern not only for teachers, but also for administrators, parents and occasionally for students. As trends change teacher attire also follows the fads. Most schools do not have a written dress codes for teachers. Many administrators believe that the professional appearance of a teacher will have a positive effect on student behavior. Some schools have decided that teacher should not wear clothing students are not allowed to wear. Teacher attire often depends on where the teacher is working. If a school is in an inner-city setting, teacher attire tends to more flexible than that of teachers who teach in an upper class area. Some other reasons for variation in teacher appearance are the limited incomes, teaching in buildings with no air conditioning and the academic subject matter. Some administrators and teachers believe that casual dress is accepted more by parents, allowing them to feel more comfortable. If a school does have a formal dress code for the teachers, it often times has exceptions. Teachers are allowed to dress in a casual manner on Fridays, while on field trips or while participating in other special activities.
Purpose
Teachers should be able to dress comfortably and not worry that their appearance will have an effect on the student’s behavior or academic achievement.
Significance of Study
If teachers are not required to follow a dress code and dress in the manner they prefer, they will feel more comfortable and perform better in the classroom. If teachers are asked to dress in business attire they may be less comfortable and not be as effective in the classroom.
Research Question
What is the relationship between teacher appearance and student behavior?
Terms and Limitations
Business attire
Bibliography: Bandura, A. 1964. The Stormy Decade: Fact or Fiction? Psychology in the Schools 1:224-31. Bradley, A. 1993. Teachers Make Style Statement by Dressing Up. Education Week 16:1-3. Nicodemus, A. 2004. Teachers Weigh In On Rules of Dress. Standard Times A1. Good, T., and J. Brophy. 1987. Looking in Classrooms. New York: Harper and Row. Lang, R. 1986. The Hidden Dress Code Dilemma. Clearing House, 59:277-79. Siefert, K., and R. Hoffnung. 1991. Child and Adolescent Development Simmons, B. J. 1996. Teachers Should Dress for Success. Clearing House, 69:297-99 Waggoner, C Wong, H., and R. Wong. 1991. The First Days of School. Sunnyvale, Calif.: Harry K. Wong Publications.